| Dimension | Scoring Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Study Design | Multiple human RCTs published since 2020 examining NAD+ precursor effects on aging biomarkers, muscle function, and metabolic health. Growing Phase II RCT base. |
20 / 25 |
| Sample Size | Early trials small (12-25 participants) but more recent trials are larger (100-300). Cumulative sample growing rapidly. |
12 / 20 |
| Replication | Replicated across US (Washington University), Japanese, and Australian research groups. NAD+ elevation consistently replicated. Functional endpoints (aging biomarkers) less consistently replicated. |
15 / 20 |
| Journal Impact Factor | Published in Cell (IF ~66), Science (IF ~56), Nature Aging, and Cell Metabolism. The foundational science is in top-tier journals; human trials in Cell Metabolism and Nature Aging. |
12 / 15 |
| Funding Independence | Washington University (Shin-ichiro Imai group) primarily academic/NIH funded for early work. Some NMN supplement industry involvement in recent commercial trials. Mixed but reasonable independence. |
7 / 10 |
| Population Diversity | Studied in middle-aged adults, elderly populations, and metabolically diverse subjects. Better diversity than most longevity compounds. |
3 / 5 |
| Researcher h-Index | Shin-ichiro Imai (Washington University) h-Index ~60+ in NAD/aging biology. Top-tier longevity researcher. Capped at 5. |
5 / 5 |